PICKERING Town are steeling themselves for a battle with Dunkirk.

The Pikes will host East Midlands Counties League premier division side Dunkirk in round three of the FA Vase on Saturday, December 5.

The home draw is reward for Pickering’s dramatic round two stoppage time victory at Winsford United on Saturday.

Mark Wood’s side produced a sizzling finale thanks to man-of-the moment Liam Salt with all the goals coming in the closing 13 minutes.

Salt opened the scoring from close range on 77 minutes but Tom Rutter levelled for the Cheshire side with four minutes remaining. With a replay on the cards, great work by Darren Clough paved the way for striker Salt to score his fourth goal in two games.

While Salt snatched the headlines at one end, man of the match for Pickering was goalkeeper Kevin Martin who made two great saves in the first half. The victory earned Pikes £1,200 prize money and they will be hoping to swell their coffers further with victory against Nottingham-based Dunkirk who knocked out Pickering’s North East Counties League rivals Lincoln Moorlands 3-1 on Saturday.

Pickering also landed a plum third round tie in the North Riding Senior Cup with Ryedale neighbours Kirkbymoorside, who are managed by former Pikes player, Darren Rivis.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Rivis. “It has always been a dream of mine to play Pickering Town in a competive game.

Kirkby, who play in the Wearside League, were first out of the hat but were instructed to switch the game to Pickering where the game will be played under floodlights on Tuesday, December 29 (7.45pm kick-off).

Tom Adams started a three-match suspension yesterday (Tuesday) so will miss Saturday’s home league game with Dinnington Town, next Tuesday’s trip to second-placed Armthorpe Welfare and the home game with Dinnington Town.

Providing all three games are played he will be available for the Vase game with Dunkirk. The third round will not feature NCEL premier division leaders Scarborough Athletic who were toppled 5-2 by rival resort Bridlington Town on Saturday.

Pickering’s scheduled fixtures for next month are: Dunkirk (FA Vase, home), December 5; Thackley (home), December 12; Bridlington Town (home), December 15; Thackley (away), December 29 and Liversedge (home), December 26.

Pickering Town (v Winsford): Martin, Dawson (Parke 37), Hillier, Aziz, McNaughton (Eeles 90), Hepples, Wrigley, Thompson, Newton (Clough 72), Salt, Fox. Subs (not used): Adams, Pallender.

North Riding Cup third round draw: Thornaby v Grangetown BC, Guisborough Town v Teesside Athletic, Whitby Town v Scarborough Athletic, Marske United v Stokesley, Scarborough Town v Northallerton Town, Kirkbymoorside v Pickering Town (to be played at Pickering).


Town supporters to get their say

PICKERING Town are holding a supporters’ open forum to help map out the future of the club.

It will be held on Friday, November 27, at the Recreation Club and club officials are urging as many fans as possible to attend to discuss the club’s immediate future in the wake of the recent death of chairman Tony Dunning.